THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY.

I have sworn once by My holiness, that I will not fail David. His seed shall endure for ever, and His seat is like as the sun before Me.-PSALM lxxxix.

"Mortale, cœlo tolle, genus, caput."

MORTAL race, enwrapt in gloom
Of thine awe-inspiring doom,
Lift thy head above the tomb.

Night's black horrors troop away,
And a white emerging ray
Speaks the coming of the day.

Now earth's teeming breast portends,
And high Heaven to meet it bends,
And the big rain-drop descends.

Lo, from Jesse's root this hour,
Springs a shoot touch'd by the shower,
And reveals a nascent flower.

Heav'n's own dews shall on Him rest,
Keep His stainless leaflets blest,
And embalm His opening breast.

Faith, chaste Fear, and holy Love,
And strict Justice from above,
All around His coming move.

Ancient Time, from days of yore,
Eagerly hath bent before,

And hath watch'd the opening door.

Haste thou on, approaching morn,
And Thou, glorious Child be born,
Only hope of earth forlorn.

Praise the Triune God of all,
Who in pity for our thrall,
Doth unto His mercy call.

ST. MICHAEL AND ALL ANGELS.

AT THE FIRST VESPERS.

His throne was like the fiery flame; thousand thousands ministered unto Him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him.-DAN. vii.

"Christe qui sedes olympo."

O CHRIST, who sit'st with God on high,

In equal majesty,

Where angels in Thy glory's blaze

Do tremble as they gaze;

Grant us unblamed to speak in song

Of that celestial throng.

One o'er the rest with shining sheen,
And glittering sword is seen;
"Tis he who crush'd the dragon's might

In the victorious fight,

And hurl'd him in black overthrow,

Unto the deeps below.

With lifted arm, and thund'ring cry, "Who shall our God defy?"

Thou stood'st; then the dark rebel rout

Fell scatter'd all about;

And He who gave the victory,
Gave thee the crown on high.

O fairest in that winged band,
Where the bright heralds stand;
To thee the highest place is given
Within the courts of Heav'n,
To ope and close the starry door,
And bring the Judge before.

'Tis thine to set the spirit free In death's last agony,

Coming in calm unearthly light,

To walk through death's dim night, And bear her from her chains away, To mansions of the day.

Glory to the Eternal Three,
Equal in majesty ;

To Him who did our being give,
Who died that we might live,

Whose breath Divine doth us restore,

And cherish evermore.

Amen.

AT THE MATTINS.

Blessed art Thou upon the throne of Thy kingdom, and to be praised and glorified above all for ever. Blessed art Thou that beholdest the depths, and sittest upon the cherubims.-DAN. iii.

"Mille quem stipant solio sedentem."

O THOU, around whose everlasting throne Throng countless hosts, a glorious multitude, Free from all bodily weight; make us Thine own, Whom Thou to Thee hast hallowed with Thy blood

Those happy seats, wherein Thy kingdom lies,
Beyond the stars, for us Thou dost prepare,
And ever from those sweet societies

Thou sendest friendly guides to lead us there.

May the repeller of unearthly harms,
Great Michael, champion of the law divine, -
Ever be o'er us with ethereal arms

To shield us from the foe, and keep us Thine!

May Gabriel his sweet aid around us plant,
And in the might of God's own fortitude
Come oft from Heav'n, a glorious pursuivant,
To visit us with messages of good.